Shoe



Oct. 16, 1928.

J. E. WILLIAMS SHOE Filed Sept. 17, 1927 L Jwum H01:

fa/mes E m'lliams Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

- UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE;

JAMES E. WILLIAMS, OF SPRING CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE.

Application filed September 17, 1927. Serial No. 220,205.

This invention relates to shoes specially adapted for the use of molders in metal foundries; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed whereby the usual seam at the back of the heel and ankle is eliminated, and the ankle portion is rendered more flexible and close fitting, and

the shoe is made more generally advan of the flap and ankle portion.

'Molders in metal foundries require specially constructed shoes which are light and flexible, and which fit closely around their ankles so that no sparks can enter, and which do not have projections on which the cuffs of the trousers can ride or catch.

In carrying out this invention a sole 6 and heel 7 of any approved construction are used. The upper 8 over the instep is prefer ably formed of a single piece of material including the part 9 in front of the ankle. The heel portion 10 and the rear part 12 of the ankle portion are preferably formed of a single piece of flexible material, such as leather, and the front ends of the heel portion 10 are secured to the rear ends of the upper 8 by seams 1d at the sides of the shoe in front of its heel 7 elastic material are secured between the 12 and 9, above the seams 1 1.

The part 12 has no seam at the back of the ankle, and it has a slit 16 cut diagonally of the vertical line of the ankle, and extending from the top edge near one elastic portion 15 to the middle of its rear part above the stiffened heel portion 10. A flap 18 of flexible material is secured to theside portion 25 of the part 12, inside the shoe, and overlaps the slit 16.

The parts of the portion 12 on opposite sides of the slit are separable, and are conparts Side portions 15 of.

nected by any suitable fastening device 20 by means of which the ankle portion of the shoe can be contracted around the ankle of the wearer, and the elastic side portions held under a slight tension. When a shoe is constructed in this way no projection is formed upon which the trouser cuffs can ride or catch, and the ankle portion of the shoe conforms'to the movements of the ankle of the wearer and fits closely without being uncomfortably tight. Any approved fastening can be used, and a spring hook fastening is preferred such as shown in the patent issued to James Ef Williams, #1,533,287 on April 14,

1925. The spring hook engages with slots 22 in the top portion of the part 12 and in a re-inforcing strip 24 secured to it, as shown in the said patent. The heel portion 10 on the shoe is stiifened on the inside of the shoe in any approved way, and has any approved lining secured over its stiffened portion.

The shoe is put on or taken off quickly when the fastening is unfastened without unduly stretching or distorting the elastic material at the sides of the shoe. Other approved fastenings, suchv as a strap and buckle, can be used instead of the spring book. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the portion 25 on one side of the slit. is cut away instead of a slit being formed in the part 12, and a larger flap 18 is provided.

-This flap 18 is secured to the elastic ma terial 15, and to the heel portion 10 by a horizontal seam 26, and it takes the place of the portion 25 and overlaps the ankle portion of the shoe in a similar manner to the flap 18. This improvement is used both on rightand left shoes.

. What I claim is: 1

1. Ina shoe, an upper, a seamless heel portion and an ankle portion formed integral with each other, said heel portion extending to and being secured to the upper at the sides 1 of the shoe, side portions of elastic material secured between the said ankle portion and the corresponding portion of the upper, the said ankle portion being provided with a slit extending downwardly from its top edge and dividing it into separable parts, a flap arranged inside the shoe and secured to the ankle portion on one side of the slit and overlapping the slit, and a fastening which portion adjacent to the elastic material to a operates to contract the ankle portion of the point at the middle and rear part of the top shoe upon the ankle of the wearer without of the heel portion. 10

pulling upon the flap. In testimony whereof I have aifixed my 5 2. A shoe as set forth in claim 1, the said signature.

slit being formed diagonally and extending r from a point at the front part of the ankle JAMES E. WILLIAMS. 

